The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru confirmed that the Cuban ambassador, Carlos Rafael Zamora Rodríguez, known as "El Gallo" Zamora, left the country after being summoned by the Peruvian vice chancellor, who expelled him from the country due to matters related to his diplomatic management.
According to the official statement, the meeting took place on Tuesday, October 28, and, after that meeting, Zamora concluded his duties and left Peru permanently. The Ministry explained that the measure responds to the need to protect sovereignty and national security, amid political tensions and growing questions about the diplomat's activities.
"The vice chancellor summoned the Cuban ambassador in order to discuss with him the activities carried out during his tenure. Based on what was discussed, it is reported that Ambassador Zamora ended his duties in Peru and left the country permanently", the Ministry's statement specified.
Zamora's departure became known alongside the authorization of a safe-conduct for former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who is sheltered in the Embassy of Mexico, which reinforces the climate of diplomatic tension the country is experiencing.
Retired officers had demanded his departure due to national security risk
The decision of the Peruvian government comes after months of public pressure from retired Armed Forces officers, grouped in the Naval Union, who on August 16 released a statement demanding the immediate departure of Zamora and his wife, Maura Juampere Pérez.
The document warned that national security and tranquility could be compromised by the presence of the ambassador, whom they identified as an intelligence agent trained by the KGB. The former naval officers argued that both Zamora and his wife had been part of Cuba's Directorate of Intelligence and proposed reducing diplomatic relations with Havana to the consular level.
